Environmental Impact of Common Inhalers Revealed in New Study

Recent research highlights the significant environmental footprint of inhalers used to manage respiratory conditions like asthma and COPD. The study, conducted by researchers at UCLA and Harvard, analyzed data from 2014 to 2024 and found that inhalers, particularly metered-dose inhalers (MDIs), contribute substantially to greenhouse gas emissions. MDIs utilize hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellants, potent greenhouse gases that account for approximately 98% of the emissions from these devices. Annually, the emissions from inhalers used in the US alone are comparable to the pollution produced by over half a million cars.

The study emphasized that while inhalers are vital for many patients, particularly young children and older adults with limited inhalation capacity, there are sustainable alternatives. Dry powder inhalers and soft mist inhalers do not rely on HFA propellants and are less harmful to the environment, yet they are underutilized partly due to insurance and market barriers.

Researchers used a national drug database to estimate the carbon footprint of inhalers and found that inhalers used by US patients under various insurance plans resulted in approximately 24.9 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents over a decade. The findings suggest a pressing need for policy reforms to improve access to environmentally friendly inhalers, which are already used in countries like Sweden and Japan without compromising medical efficacy.

The study's lead author, William Feldman, stresses that the goal isn’t to blame patients but to encourage societal and policy changes to foster sustainable healthcare practices. The report advocates for making lower-emission inhalers more affordable and accessible, warning that new, expensive low-global-warming inhalers might leave behind vulnerable populations without adequate insurance coverage.

This research underscores the importance of addressing the climate impact of medical devices and highlights opportunities to reimagine inhaler technology and healthcare policy to reduce environmental harm while maintaining high-quality care.